Statewide General Election
November 6, 2018 Election Calendar
NOTE: The information below is as accurate as possible, but not every requirement or exception is listed. In the event of a conflict, the date set by statute controls over dates listed below. The Registration & Elections Division reserves the right to update this calendar as necessary.
| Days Prior to Election | Date | Election Calendar for November 6, 2018 Statewide General Election Action Taken |
|---|---|---|
| 148 | June 11, 2018 | By this date the Governor shall issue a proclamation calling the election and shall state the time of the election and offices to be filled. EC §12000 |
| 140 | June 19, 2018 | Last day to file an amended Candidate Intention Statement (Form 501) to accept the expenditure ceiling for the general election if the voluntary expenditure ceiling was rejected in the primary election, but not exceeded during that election. The filing of an amended Form 501 allows statewide office, State Senate and Assembly candidates to purchase space for a 250-word Candidate Statement in the official state Voter Information Guide or the county Sample Ballot & Official Voter Information Pamphlet. GC §§85200, 85400, 85401, 85600, 85601 |
| 131 | June 28, 2018 | Last day for an initiative measure, statewide constitutional amendment, bond measure or other legislative measure to qualify for the Statewide General Election ballot on November 6, 2018. EC §9040; Cal. Const. Art. II §8(c) |
| 131 111 |
June 28, 2018 July 18, 2018 |
Between these dates, statewide office and U.S. Senate candidates may purchase space for a 250-word Candidate Statement in the official state Voter Information Guide. Statewide office candidates may do so only if they have agreed to accept the voluntary expenditure limits on their Candidate Intention Statement (Form 501). EC §§9084(i), 85601(a) |
| 130 | June 29, 2018 | (School or Special District Vacancy) Last day for the governing body of a local jurisdiction to call an election on November 6, 2018 to fill a vacancy to be on the ballot. GC §1780; ED §5091 |
| 127 113 |
July 2, 2018 July 16, 2018 |
Between these dates, a city shall publish its Notice of Election, stating the offices to be filled and time of election. The City Elections Official shall consolidate the Notice of Election and the Notice of City Measures into one notice if the measure was filed prior to the Notice of Election's publication. EC §§12101, 12111 |
| 124 | July 5, 2018 | (Special District Vacancy) Last day for special districts governed by the Uniform District Election Law to notify County Elections Official of offices to be filled, decisions regarding payment of candidate statements, and a map of the district's boundaries. (Note: Statutory date falls on a holiday. Date is moved to next business day on July 5, 2018, per EC §15.) EC §§10509, 10522 |
| 123 | July 6, 2018 | (School District Vacancy) Last day for school governing board to deliver a resolution (the "specifications of the election order") to the County Superintendent and County Elections Official calling for an election of governing board members. ED §5322 |
| 120 | July 9, 2018 | (School District Vacancy) Last day for the County Superintendent to deliver an official order and formal notice of election of governing board members to the County Elections Official. ED §5325(b) |
| 120 90 |
July 9, 2018 August 8, 2018 |
Between these dates, the County Elections Official shall publish the Notice of Election (date of election, identification of offices to be filled, statement of required qualifications, where Nomination Documents are available, deadline for filing required forms, statement regarding appointment, the hours of opening and closing of the polls, and related information). The notice of central counting place may be combined with this notice. The County Elections Official shall also issue a press release indicating offices to be filled and a telephone contact number for related information. EC §§10242, 12109, 12112; GC §6061; ED §5363 |
| 118 | July 11, 2018 | First Candidate Seminar to be held at 10 a.m. at the Registration & Elections Division, 40 Tower Road, San Mateo. First Data Seminar to be held immediately following the end of the Candidate Seminar at the same location. |
| 114 | July 15, 2018 | (City Vacancy) For a vacancy in a city election office, this is the last day for the city council to call a special election for November 6, 2018 to fill the vacancy. GC §36512 |
| 113 88 |
July 16, 2018 August 10, 2018 |
Between these dates is the candidate filing period. Nomination Papers and Declarations of Candidacy are available during this time. Paperwork must be received by the close of business on August 10, 2018 (candidates filing at the Registration & Elections Division have until 5 p.m.; city candidates should check the hours of their City Clerk's office). Local candidates may purchase space for a Candidate Statement in the county Sample Ballot & Official Voter Information Pamphlet. The Candidate Statement may be withdrawn but not changed during this period and until 5 p.m. of the next working day (August 13, 2018) after the close of the nomination period. EC §§10220, 10407, 10510, 10603, 13307 |
| 113 88 |
July 16, 2018 August 10, 2018 |
Between these dates, candidates for U.S. House of Representative, State Senate and Assembly may purchase space for a 250-word Candidate Statement in the county Sample Ballot & Official Voter Information Pamphlet. State Senate and Assembly candidates may do so only if they have agreed to accept the voluntary expenditure limits on their Candidate Intention Statement (Form 501). EC §§13307, 13307.5; GC §85601(c) |
| 111 | July 18, 2018 | Last day statewide office and U.S. Senate candidates may purchase space for a 250-word Candidate Statement in the state Voter Information Guide. Statewide office candidates may do so only if they have agreed to accept the voluntary expenditure limits on their Candidate Intention Statement (Form 501). GC §§9084(i), 85601(a) |
| 103 | July 26, 2018 | Second Candidate Seminar to be held at 2 p.m. at the Registration & Elections Division, 40 Tower Road, San Mateo. Second Data Seminar to be held immediately following the end of the Candidate Seminar at the same location. |
| 98 | July 31, 2018 | Last day that any candidate may request in writing a different ballot designation than was used at the primary election. The written request shall be accompanied by a Ballot Designation Worksheet. EC §13107(h) |
| Fixed Date | July 31, 2018 | Except as provided in GC §84200 paragraphs (1), (2) and (3), elected officials, candidates and committees pursuant to subdivision (a) of GC §82013 and slate mailer organizations shall file semiannual statements no later than today for the period ending June 30, 2018. GC §§82013, 84200, 84218 |
| 90 0 |
August 8, 2018 November 6, 2018 |
During this period, a contribution, including a loan, that totals in the aggregate $1,000 or more per source made to or received by a candidate or committee must be reported within 24 hours. GC §§82036, 84203 |
| 88 | August 10, 2018 | (School District Measure) Last day for a school governing board to deliver a resolution (the "specifications of the election order") to the County Elections Official calling for an election on a measure. ED §5322 |
| 88 | August 10, 2018 | Last day for a local entity to deliver a resolution requesting election services and consolidation from the San Mateo County Board of Supervisors for the November 6, 2018 Election. EC §§1405, 10002, 10403, 12001 |
| 88 | August 10, 2018 | Last day for candidates to submit Nomination Documents (Declaration of Candidacy and Nomination Papers), due by 5 p.m. to the Registration & Elections Division. City candidates should check the hours of their City Clerk's office. EC §§10220, 10224, 10407, 10510, 10603, 13307 |
| 88 | August 10, 2018 | Last day (through the close of business) for a city, school or special district candidate who has qualified for the ballot to withdraw their candidacy. City candidates should check the hours of their City Clerk's office, all other candidates have until 5 p.m. EC §10510(a), 10603. |
| 88 | August 10, 2018 | Last day U.S. House of Representative, State Senate and Assembly candidates may purchase space for a Candidate Statement in the county Sample Ballot & Official Voter Information Pamphlet. State Senate and Assembly candidates may do so only if they have agreed to accept the voluntary expenditure limits on their Candidate Intention Statement (Form 501). EC §§13307, 13307.5; GC §85601(c) |
| 88 78 |
August 10, 2018 August 20, 2018 |
The 10-calendar-day public review period begins August 10, 2018 at 5 p.m. and ends August 20, 2018 at 5 p.m. for all documents filed as of the filing deadline of August 10, 2018. Between these dates, the Elections Official or any registered voter, eligible to vote on the contest in question, may seek a writ of mandate or injunction requiring any or all of the materials to be amended or deleted if found to be false, misleading or inconsistent with the Elections Code. Documents subject to this review include resolutions, ordinances, declarations and candidate statements. EC §§9190, 9295, 9380, 9509, 13313 |
| 88 83 |
August 10, 2018 August 15, 2018 |
Between these dates is the extended candidate filing period. If an eligible incumbent does not file Nomination Documents by August 10, 2018 at 5 p.m., the filing period is extended for that office for five calendar days until August 15, 2018 at 5 p.m., for any person other than the incumbent. This section is not applicable where there is no incumbent eligible to be elected. EC §§10407, 10225, 10516, 10604 |
| 85 | August 13, 2018 | Except as provided in EC §13309, 5 p.m. today is the deadline for candidates to withdraw a Candidate Statement. Candidates may withdraw but may not change their statements. EC §13307(a)(3) |
| 85 | August 13, 2018 | County to publish a notice regarding county, school district and special district measures, the dates for submitting Primary and Rebuttal Arguments, the 10-calendar-day public review period, the hours of opening and closing of the polls, and the central ballot counting location. EC §§9163, 9502, 10242, 12109; GC §6061; ED §5363 |
| 83 | August 15, 2018 | Extended candidate filing period closes at 5 p.m. today. Extended filing periods occur when an eligible incumbent does not file for re-election; the extension only applies to non-incumbent candidates for such an office. City candidates shall file paperwork with their City Clerk's office; all other candidates shall file with the County Elections Official. EC §§10407, 10225, 10516, 10604 |
| 83 | August 15, 2018 | Last day for an order of election calling for a ballot measure to be amended or withdrawn. A resolution of the legislative body that issued the order of election must be filed with the Elections Official by today in order to amend or withdraw a ballot measure. EC §9605 |
| 83 | August 15, 2018 | Last day for any qualified political party to submit to the County Elections Official a list of all candidates for voter-nominated offices who will appear on any ballot in the county in question, and who have been endorsed by the party. The County Elections Official shall print any such list that is timely received in the county Sample Ballot & Official Voter Information Pamphlet. EC §13302(b) |
| 83 | August 15, 2018 | For the office of superior court judge, today is the last day to file a petition indicating that a write-in campaign will be conducted for the office at the general election, signed by at least 0.1 percent of the registered voters qualified to vote with respect to the office, provided that the petition shall contain at least 100 signatures but need not contain more than 600 signatures. If such a petition is filed by today, the name of the incumbent shall be placed on the general election ballot if it has not appeared on the direct primary election ballot. EC §8203 |
| 83 73 |
August 15, 2018 August 25, 2018 |
The 10-calendar-day public review period begins August 15, 2018 at 5 p.m. and ends August 25, 2018 at 5 p.m. for all documents filed by the extended filing deadline of August 15, 2018. Between these dates, the Elections Official or any registered voter, eligible to vote on the contest in question, may seek a writ of mandate or injunction requiring any or all of the materials to be amended or deleted if found to be false, misleading or inconsistent with the Elections Code. Documents subject to this review include resolutions, ordinances, declarations and candidate statements. EC §§9190, 9295, 9380, 9509, 13313 |
| 82 | August 16, 2018 | Randomized Alphabet Drawings are conducted by both the Secretary of State and County Elections Official today at 11 a.m. to determine the order in which candidate names will appear on the ballot and the letters that will be assigned to each ballot measure. EC §§13111, 13112, 13113, 13116 |
| 82 | August 16, 2018 | Last day for candidates who filed paperwork during the extended filing period to withdraw their Candidate Statements. Candidate Statement may be withdrawn, but not changed, until 5 p.m. EC §§13307(a)(3) |
| 81 | August 17, 2018 | For consolidated elections, the names of the candidates to appear upon the ballot where district, city, or other political subdivision offices are to be filled shall be filed with the County Elections Official by this date. EC §10403 |
| 81 | August 17, 2018 | Primary Arguments in favor of and against local measures are due by 5 p.m. Such arguments, if already submitted, may be changed until and including today. Arguments for city measures must be filed with the City Clerk's office. EC §§9162-63, 9282-83, 9286, 9315-16, 9501-03 |
| 81 71 |
August 17, 2018 August 27, 2018 |
The 10-calendar-day public review period begins August 17, 2018 at 5 p.m. and ends August 27, 2018 at 5 p.m. for Primary Arguments filed in favor of and against local measures. Between these dates, the Elections Official or any registered voter, eligible to vote on the contest in question, may seek a writ of mandate or injunction requiring any or all of the materials to be amended or deleted if found to be false, misleading or inconsistent with Elections Code. Arguments for city measures are reviewed at the City Clerk's office. EC §§9190, 9295, 9380, 9509 |
| 78 | August 20, 2018 | The 10-calendar-day public review period ends at 5 p.m. for all documents filed by August 10, 2018. A writ of mandate or injunction request shall be filed no later than this date on documents filed by the candidate filing period deadline of August 10, 2018. EC §§9190, 9295, 9380, 9509, 13313 |
| 73 | August 25, 2018 | The 10-calendar-day public review period ends at 5 p.m. for all documents filed by the extended filing deadline of August 15, 2018. A writ of mandate or injunction request shall be filed no later than this date on documents filed as of the close of the extended candidate filing (August 25, 2018). EC §§9190, 9295, 9380, 9509, 13313 |
| 71 | August 27, 2018 | The 10-calendar-day public review period ends at 5 p.m. today for all Primary Arguments filed in favor of and against local measures. A writ of mandate or injunction request shall be filed no later than this date on documents filed as of August 17, 2018. EC §§9190, 9295, 9380, 9509 |
| 71 | August 27, 2018 | Rebuttal Arguments for measures where a Primary Argument was filed both in favor and against are due by 5 p.m. Such arguments may be changed until and including today. Rebuttal Arguments for city measures must be filed with the City Clerk's office. EC §§9163, 9167, 9285-86, 9316-17, 9502, 9504 |
| 71 | August 27, 2018 | Impartial Analyses for measures are due on this date by 5 p.m. EC §§9160, 9280, 9313-14, 9500 |
| 71 61 |
August 27, 2018 September 6, 2018 |
The 10-calendar-day public review period begins August 27, 2018 at 5 p.m. and ends September 6, 2018 at 5 p.m. for Rebuttal Arguments filed in favor and/or against local measures and Impartial Analyses. Between these dates the Elections Official or any registered voter, eligible to vote on the contest in question, may seek a writ of mandate or injunction requiring any or all of the materials to be amended or deleted if found to be false, misleading or inconsistent with the Elections Code. Rebuttal arguments and Impartial Analyses for City measures are reviewed at the City Clerk's office. EC §§9190, 9286, 9295, 9380, 9509 |
| 68 | August 30, 2018 | (Certified List of Candidates) By this date, the California Secretary of State will provide a certified list of qualified federal and state legislative candidates, including ballot rotation lists to the County Elections Official. EC §§8148, 8149, 13111 |
| 61 | September 6, 2018 | The 10-Calendar-day public review period ends at 5 p.m. today for all Rebuttal Arguments filed in favor of and/or against local measures and Impartial Analyses. A writ of mandate or injunction request shall be filed no later after this date on documents filed by August 27, 2018. EC §§9190, 9295, 9380, 9509 |
| 61 | September 6, 2018 | Any city that requests the Board of Supervisors to permit the County Elections Official to prepare the city's election materials shall supply the County Elections Official with a list of its precincts, or consolidated precincts, as applicable, no later than this date. EC §10002 |
| 60 45 |
September 7, 2018 September 22, 2018 |
Between these dates, the County Elections Official must send ballots and balloting materials to all Military and Overseas Voters who filed ballot applications by September 7, 2018. EC §§300(b), 3105, 3114 |
| 57 14 |
September 10, 2018 October 23, 2018 |
Between these dates, write-in candidates must file a statement of write-in candidacy and other required documentation with the County Elections Official. City candidates must file their paperwork with their City Clerk's office. EC §§8600-05 |
| 50 | September 17, 2018 | By this date each county must send the report of registration, reflecting the total number of voters as of September 7, 2018 to the Secretary of State. EC §2187(a), (c)(5) |
| 45 | September 22, 2018 | County Elections Official must send ballots and balloting material to all Military and Overseas Voters who filed ballot applications by September 22, 2018. EC §§300(b), 3105, 3114 |
| 40 | September 27, 2018 | First pre-election campaign committee statement for candidates and committees is due for the period ending September 22, 2018. GC §84200.8 |
| 40 21 |
September 27, 2018 October 16, 2018 |
Between these dates, the state Voter Information Guide and the county Sample Ballot & Official Voter Information Pamphlet will be mailed to voters who registered at least 60 days and 29 days prior to the election respectively. EC §§9094, 13303-04 |
| 28 7 |
October 9, 2018 October 30, 2018 |
Between these dates, Vote by Mail ballots will be sent to all registered voters in the county. Voters interested in having replacement Vote by Mail ballots be mailed to them should make the request by October 30, 2018 to ensure the ballots arrive on or before Election Day. (Note: Statutory date falls on a holiday. Date is moved to next business day on October 9, 2018.) EC §§3001, 4005(a)(8)(A) |
| 28 0 |
October 9, 2018 November 6, 2018 |
Between these dates, at least one ballot drop-off location shall be provided for every 15,000 registered voters within the jurisdiction where the election is held, as determined on August 10, 2018. All ballot drop-off locations shall be open at least during regular business hours. At least one ballot drop-off location shall be an accessible, secured, exterior drop box that is available for a minimum of 12 hours per day including regular business hours. EC§ 4005 (a)(1)(A)(B) |
| 15 | October 22, 2018 | Voter registration closes on this date for the November 6, 2018 Statewide General Election. Voters must register by this date to be eligible to vote in this election. Voter registration forms postmarked prior to or on this date are accepted. EC §§2102 |
| 14 | October 23, 2018 | The write-in candidate filing period ends today at 5 p.m. All potential candidates must submit all required documents by this date in order to be a qualified write-in candidate. City candidates should check the hours of their city clerk's office. EC §§8600-05 |
| 14 | October 23, 2018 | Processing of Vote by Mail ballots may begin on this date (10 business days before Election Day). Processing Vote by Mail ballots includes opening Vote by Mail ballot return envelopes, removing ballots, duplicating any damaged ballots and preparing the ballots to be machine-read, or machine-reading them. EC §15101(b) |
| 14 0 |
October 23, 2018 November 6, 2018 |
Between these dates, individuals who become new United States citizens on or after October 23, 2018, are eligible to register and vote at any Vote Center. A new citizen registering during this time must provide proof of citizenship and declare that he or she has established residency in California. EC §§331, 3500, 3501 |
| 14 0 |
October 23, 2018 November 6, 2018 |
Between these dates, the Elections Official shall provide Conditional Voter Registration and provisional voting for voters who missed the October 22 registration deadline at all Vote Centers. EC §§2170-73 |
| 12 | October 25, 2018 | Second pre-election campaign committee statement for candidates and committees is due for the period ending October 20, 2018. GC §84200.8 |
| 10 4 |
October 27, 2018 November 2, 2018 |
Between these dates, for a minimum of eight hours per day, at least one Vote Center is provided for every 50,000 registered voters within the jurisdiction where the election is held, as determined on August 10, 2018. Any voter registered in the county may visit any Vote Center in order to receive voter services or vote. EC §4005(a)(2)(A), (a)(4)(A) |
| 7 | October 30, 2018 | By this date, the County shall publish a list of the polling places (Vote Centers) designated for each election precinct for this election. EC §§12105 |
| 7 | October 30, 2018 | Last Day for voters to request a replacement Vote by Mail ballot to be mailed to them. EC §3001 |
| 7 | October 30, 2018 | By this date, each County must send the Report of Registration, reflecting the total number of voters as of October 23, 2018, to the Secretary of State. EC §2187(a), (c)(6) |
| 7 | October 30, 2018 | Last day for voters to request the County Elections Official to send a Vote by Mail ballot in English, Spanish or Chinese, or a facsimile copy of the ballot printed in Filipino or Korean. EC §4005(a)(8)(B)(III) |
| 7 | October 30, 2018 | Last day for voters to request the County Elections Official to send or deliver a ballot that voters with disabilities can read and mark privately and independently pursuant to the federal Help America Vote Act of 2002 (52 U.S.C. Sec. 20901 et seq.). EC §4005(a)(8)(B)(IV) |
| 3 0 |
November 3, 2018 November 6, 2018 |
Between these dates, for a minimum of eight hours per day (7 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Election Day), at least one Vote Center is provided for every 10,000 registered voters within the jurisdiction where the election is held, as determined on August 10, 2018. Any voter registered in the county may visit any Vote Center in order to receive voter services or vote. EC §4005(a)(2)(A), (a)(3)(A) |
| 0 | November 6, 2018 | Election Day. All Vote Centers open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. Semifinal official canvass commences upon the closing of all polls at 8 p.m. EC §§1000, 4005, 14212, 15150, 15151 |
| 3 | November 9, 2018 | Vote by Mail ballots postmarked on or before Election Day must be received by County Elections Officials by this day in order to be counted. EC §3020 |
| 30 | December 6, 2018 | Last day for County Elections Official to certify election results to the jurisdictions participating in the election. EC §15372 |
| 38 | December 14, 2018 | Last day for Secretary of State to prepare, certify, and file a statement of the vote from the compiled elections returns. The Secretary of State issues to each elected candidate a certificate of election. EC §§15501, 15504 |
Reference
§ or §§: Section or Sections
EC: California Elections Code
ED: California Education Code
GC: California Government Code
All above California Codes may be referenced online at: leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/codes.xhtml